Is the schedule for construction in winter realistic?

Hello :)

we are now right in the middle of the construction process, the ground slab was poured a week ago. The plan is for a solid bungalow with wood cladding. Our original plan foresaw completion by the end of April. This was planned with a lot of buffer time back then. However, we have used up this buffer due to various delays in the building permit.

Our architect (who is also the construction company) says that the weather only plays a minor role. The earthworks are done and now it is important to finish the shell soon so that the weather no longer has such a strong influence, but the rest will be handled with dryers and the like. A friend who also works in construction was very confused, however, that the shell and so on are actually supposed to be done in these weeks, because it "will never be dry."

From my previous experience, most construction activities used to be paused in winter. Are the new materials really better suited, should we prepare for a delay, or is there even a risk that there will be consequential damages later because construction took place during frost or cold?

Depending on the weather, a house without a basement can certainly be completed within that time if the shell can still be erected and the roof is on. Inside, if necessary, construction heaters can be used to achieve the required temperatures, for example for the electrical work. However, I would not rely on the deadline at the end of April and terminate the apartment lease already. You yourself have noticed how quickly the buffer disappears and the construction work hasn’t even started yet. There was just a post in the forum where someone moved into the house without heating. This counts as acceptance and should be strictly avoided.

It is possible, not unlikely either.

Nevertheless: I wouldn't rely on this date at all, it is also quite likely that the house will only be finished at the end of June. The completion of a house depends on many factors, mostly on many companies that have to work hand in hand independently. Then there is the drying time factor, which can hold surprises... Our bricklayer still said in July that we _could_ move in at the end of September. Could! The handover was at the end of January.

Regards

The earthworks are done and now it is important to finish the shell soon so that the weather no longer has such a strong influence, but then the rest will be managed with dryers and the like.

That’s fine as it is. Now it depends on the actual temperature and weather conditions. For all building materials (mortar, adhesive, foam, etc.) there are processing guidelines that specify the permissible (and possibly also recommended) limits. In case of doubt, you have to get corresponding evidence. You can also work with additives (concrete processing ...). If now severe, persistent frost comes, it looks tight, but a late autumn as usual in recent years should not greatly slow down the construction project. And once the roof is on and the windows are in, then everything is possible anyway. (A bungalow shell construction only takes a few days if necessary; assumption: wooden beam ceiling.) The completion date can be met but does not have to be. I dare to assert that weather has the least influence on it ;-). At least that seems to be the rule in most construction projects.

Hello,

Our architect (and at the same time the construction company) says that the weather only plays a minor role.

That is not correct. The weather only plays a minor role as long as the temperatures are above 5°C; below that it is critical. For example, if masonry work is carried out at too low temperatures, mortar and adhesives do not hold, and the risk of later cracking increases. Reinforcing steel must be warmed above 5°C.

The earthworks are done and now it is important to finish the shell soon so that the weather no longer has such a strong influence, but then the rest will be managed with dryers and the like.

That is correct as far as the weather allows the complete finishing of the closed shell!

From before, I also know that most construction activities used to pause in winter. If the new materials are really better suited, should we expect delays or do we even face the risk of later consequential damages because construction took place in frost or cold?

It is less about improved products than about the client's desire to move in as soon as possible after signing the contract.

Winter weather is a recurring annual issue; in recent years the construction industry has been favored. Whether this will be the case in 2016/2017 cannot be answered reliably by anyone; if it goes wrong, it will be cold until Easter. So in your place, I would not terminate your apartment yet.

Best regards from the Rhineland

ok, that should explain why the work is currently paused. The last few days we've had quite low temperatures here. But it’s supposed to get warmer again now. So I’ll keep my fingers crossed myself that this warm phase lasts a bit and is enough to build our walls ;)

And yes, it will be a wooden beam ceiling, so that seems like it might actually fit after all.

Apartments will be given notice no earlier than 3 months in advance, so in January, and then it should be somewhat clearer what the status is or rather the overall weather situation won’t be as decisive anymore but rather the trades ;) .

Move-in definitely only when everything is finished, we agree on that. Then if necessary better to store things and crash at the parents for a few more weeks, but we’re not moving into a construction site ...

Thanks for your input!